Newsroom

29 August 2017

UN Women’s Position on Marriage Equality

As an organisation advocating for gender equality, we stand firmly behind the full human rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LBGTI) people.

UN Women National Committee Australia encourages all Australians to use their voice and vote in the upcoming Marriage Equality Postal Survey. We urge all Australians, regardless of their opinion, to act with civility, respect and kindness throughout the campaign.

UN Women’s position on Marriage Equality

UN Women stands for human rights of all LGBTI people. Violations of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people undermines the shared international goal of gender equality. Addressing and ending such violations is part of the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s promise to leave no one behind.[1]

In order to make sure no one is left behind we must make sure no one is left out. Those who are furthest behind, most vulnerable and least supported are our priority. Action to end discrimination and exclusion on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is therefore a natural aspect of planning to implement the 2030 Agenda, as homophobia and transphobia are still all too common and result in violence and exclusion from social services and decision-making.[2]

UN Women is committed to working closely through and with inter-agency mechanisms, UN Country Teams, civil society partners and others to contribute to the empowerment and realization of LGBTI people’s rights.

UN Women condemns the widespread forms of discrimination, exclusion and violence against the LGBTI community across the world. We call for the protection of individuals from discrimination and violence, for the repeal of discriminatory laws, and for individual rights to be addressed as an integral part of the path forward to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.[3]

UN Women stands with the LGBTI community and calls for equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.